Power Generation and Storage

[fishybizzness]

Great article and very interesting timing!
I set up an appointment with an electrician 2 weeks ago to get a appraisal on a LP powered automatic standby generator provided and installed. He just left and I log on and see this article. What he has proposed is a Generac Guardian Series generator.
He's a certified Generac rep so I can get a free 7 year parts and labor warranty by buying thru him. The unit has a maximum delay from power out to power restored of 30 seconds, most likely less than 30 seconds. He calculated the entire house load and this unit will keep my home fully functioning in the event of an outage. I already have a 500 gallon LP tank that's filled monthly so I'd be covered for an extended outage no worries. I'm a plumber by trade so I'll make the gas connection.
I figure the value of the livestock I have in my 240 reef, 30 cube and 40 breeder frag tank far exceed what the entire package will cost. Kind of a no brainer for me.

Got my generac 16k hooked up 5 days before irma hit. It was definitely a purchase I have never regretted! Didn't get power back until November. Apart from the occasional oil and filter change, it has run flawlessly. We have power outages several times a month, sometimes for a few hours at a time, and it's a great feeling when 10 seconds later I hear the generator start up and 10 seconds after the whole house powers up!

 

[siggy]

Most important thing is to HAVE A PLAN. Mine, for years, was a 6500 watt portable. Manage the gasoline storage and exercise it regularly and it is a good option.

no one perfect solution. That's what makes your earlier statement so solid ca1ore and the whole scope of this thread siggy, redundancy is imperative/have a plan.

What is Your Back Up Plan Reefers?

 

[Jay Norris]

Hi, I went with a whole house Diesel Generator, with enough fuel to last 2 weeks at a time. I went with a manual transfer switch this time, as I don't like my generator coming on in a Hurricane, like the last one.

 

[siggy]

Hi, I went with a whole house Diesel Generator, with enough fuel to last 2 weeks at a time. I went with a manual transfer switch this time, as I don't like my generator coming on in a Hurricane, like the last one.

Im curious why you dont like to run during a Hurricane?

 

[ingchr1]

If a major storm was coming (e.g. hurricane) it would probably be a good idea to place the generator in manual so you could assess the situation and make sure everything is safe prior to it powering back up you house.

 

[fishybizzness]

Im curious why you dont like to run during a Hurricane?

During a hurricane, the generator will suck in alot of water due to the high winds causing the rain to blow sideways. If u live near the coast, it's alot of saltwater. Not very good for the generator.

 

[Monkeytank]

Thank you both for putting this together! Very comprehensive! I bought a generator back when I first got into the hobby about 6 years ago. Living in Colorado where we get some strong winds and a fair amount of snow, I thought I would need it. We haven't lost power a single time in that period, and I've never even put gas in it. At least I have it if we do.

 

[Jay Norris]

Im curious why you dont like to run during a Hurricane?

In case their is damage to the house, like in Donna and Andrew, we have not experienced a major strike to the Southeast Coast of Miami Florida since Andrew, and I would not like live electrical wires, if my house is somehow damaged. Then there is the issue of all the debris and rain in the air, that could be sucked up in the air filters.

 

[Shanet]

I'll guess thats your house

Pretty much! In my state in Australia we have sold off all our Coal fired Power Stations ( we hate coal but supply the rest of the world with it, go figure) and rely on Wind Turbines for power, when we cant rely on them (no wind) we buy power from other states. We had a storm that blew down the Interconnecter towers (due to lack of maintenance since being sold by the State to Private Enterprise) and our State was without power for up to 3 days in Rural areas (which I live in).
I am a Coal Miner that works in a different State to where I live so if we loose power I cant slip home and start the genny, hence the setup.

 

[FLSharkvictim]

I live in FL right on the beach, so Hurricane Irama really did some major damage to the Tampa bay area when it came through here like a freight train! We lost power for 7 days, but a course, I had my #Briggs &#Straton 7000watt portable Generator which is connected to my main break for my house, so I can run a few things off of it! My friend and I were able to run my 120 mixed reef tank, my AC, plus the refrigerator but would only run that during the day.. I was set there was no doubt about it! Not one fish died on me or lost any coral what so ever which was a miracle due to how bad the conditions were outside during the hurricane #Irama. I heard one horror story in Maimi about one fish store lost their entire stock on the tarmac @ Miami Intl Airport trying to get out of dodge. Lost over 10k just in fish and coral. so you must have a backup plan especially if you live in an area where your power goes out a lot like where I LIVE on the beach. Anyways, this is what got me through Hurricane Irma but after thinking about it, not for a while, I was thinking maybe solar panels or a home Generator System

The home Briggs & Stratton 20KW Standby Generator System (Steel) (100A Service Disconnect + AC Shedding) can power up your entire home without going out in the rain and filling up your generator every 12 hrs or so.
They start at around 5K ones installed which is not cheap, but if you consider what all is in your tank, how big is it etc etc., I have an SCA Rimless 150 so I think I am going to make the upgrade to the Briggs & Stratton 20KW Standby Generator System.
Its Fully Automatic Operation - Includes Automatic Transfer Switch / Runs off LP or Natural Gas - no gas cans to fill and store / Computer controlled load management power switching / Expand your generators range by prioritizing powered circuits /
Automotive rust proofing paint process reduces corrosion / Pushes engine exhaust out the front, away from the home and much much more.

 

[siggy]

We lost power for 7 days, but a course, I had my #Briggs &#Straton 7000watt portable Generator which is connected to my main break for my house, so I can run a few things off of it! My friend and I were able to run my 120 mixed reef tank, my AC, plus the refrigerator but would only run that during the day.. I was set there was no doubt about it! Not one fish died

Thats a happy ending to a terrible event. You had a Plan or Routine in place and a Good Working machine that ran for 7 days. That generator paid for itself and you were comfortable.

Edit; Scored 4 tickets to Wings / Tamps for Thursdays game;)

 

[siggy]

This is a solution I like for a portable generator. It is 3 position disconnect/safety switch, it allows you to plug in a generator safely and energize your entire home, not just a small number of circuits.
NOW you CAN NOT run everything at once but you can select what you need when you need it.
Step 1. plug Generator into home and start( Portables can have Elect. Start;))
step 2. Throw the Switch to generator and that's it!*** be sure to turn off non essential loads***
These typs of switches start @ $350 plus the install....I first seen this on a farm and the farmer had a Gen. unit that hooked up to his 3-point hitch/PTO on his tractor....OLD School!
NOT just a Generator! Inverter/battery could go here also

 

[Jay Norris]

This is a solution I like for a portable generator. It is 3 position disconnect/safety switch, it allows you to plug in a generator safely and energize your entire home, not just a small number of circuits.
NOW you CAN NOT run everything at once but you can select what you need when you need it.
Step 1. plug Generator into home and start( Portables can have Elect. Start;))
step 2. Throw the Switch to generator and that's it!*** be sure to turn off non essential loads***
These typs of switches start @ $350 plus the install....I first seen this on a farm and the farmer had a Gen. unit that hooked up to his 3-point hitch/PTO on his tractor....OLD School!
NOT just a Generator! Inverter/battery could go here also

Hi, that is almost the same transfer box we use, and it will run my whole house on our generator, very simple to use and easy to install, but use a licensed electrician to install it.

 

[Nep2nzReef]

This is a solution I like for a portable generator. It is 3 position disconnect/safety switch, it allows you to plug in a generator safely and energize your entire home, not just a small number of circuits.

My father-in-law has had this type of connection on his home for a good number of years, put it in after Fran came thru NC. I know of 5-6 occasions he's had to use it and all went fine. He's not an aquarist mind you, but no one wants to be without power over an extended period of time.

 

[siggy]

My father-in-law has had this type of connection on his home for a good number of years, put it in after Fran came thru NC. I know of 5-6 occasions he's had to use it and all went fine. He's not an aquarist mind you, but no one wants to be without power over an extended period of time.

Having a generator for my tank was a bonus. Four women in the house with no shower or me without hot food and cold beer is not a happy place;) Not to mention a deep freezer full of Venison and Fresh Fish.

 

[siggy]

Typical Inverter with Solar Charging. Here they call the inverter a UPS, it can be an Uninterruptible Power Supply If the Inverter has that Option
of Auto Transfer Switching.

 

[siggy]

I meant to share this earlier. One Of the leading Manufacturer's Of Pure Sine Wave Inverters is Xantrex http://www.xantrex.com/ RV'S, Boats, Yachts and Semi-Trucks have been relying on this brand for years.
Not cheap but considered the Best in the Biz. I first became aware of them when I was working in the Boating industry in the 80's and they were the only brand to produce a true sine-wave that is critical for refrigeration (ice) and marine electronics. Now we have several brands.

 

[siggy]

Oh I have to share this! this is an All in one unit For under $500! https://www.hodgesmarine.com/STATPO...sWZEedx2s1KFDml45AnUS_xoCrLMQAvD_BwE&click=19



120 Vac / 60 Hz

The XPower Powerpack 1500 system consists of a battery pack that stores electricity, advanced electronics that convert 12 volts of DC power from the battery pack to household power, an AC power panel that contains two standard outlets, and a DC power panel that is used to operate 12 volt products.

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Emergency power: operates essential appliances such as a fridge, cordless and cell phone, radio, fan, lamp, home security system, microwave, sump pump and more.

Work productivity: operates power tools such as a drill, belt sander, circular saw and more; powers communication devices such as a laptop, desktop and monitor, printer, fax machine and more.

Indoor and outdoor recreation: operates a TV, blender, video game console, portable cooler, coffee maker and more.

 

[Salty Lemon]

@siggy , thanks for writing this article. I just posted a thread a few weeks ago asking about generators. Your article answered most of my questions. This helped me out. Thanks much! ;Happy

 

[siggy]

Take A look, this could be a DIY reef backup system

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